Description
Book SynopsisThis book is for amateur astronomers who would like to know the mythology behind the names of astronomical objects in the night sky. It covers the lore and legend behind Ptolemy’s 48 constellations, along with significant asterisms, the planets and their moons, the brightest named asteroids and dwarf planets.
The revised second edition includes a host of new moons and dwarf planets discovered since 2011. In addition, it now features a new section on major asteroids and their associated myths. While still primarily focused on Greco-Roman mythology, the book now branches out to cover more recently named objects from other cultures, such as Hawaiian, Rapanui, Tongva and Inuit.
To assist practical observers, the book gives the location and description of each constellation, including named stars and deep-sky objects. A host of helpful astronomy tips and techniques, as well as a brief introduction to astrophotography, are included to encourage direct observation and imaging of these mythical objects in the night sky.
Trade Review“This book is a worthy addition to the literature on the names of heavenly bodies, and can be recommended.” (Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1282), June, 2021)
Table of ContentsContents
1 An Introduction to Greco-Roman Mythology
The Night Sky and Ancient Cultures
Greek or Roman?
The Creation of the World
Astronomical Family Trees
2 The Winter Constellations
Orion – The Hunter
Canis Major – The Great Dog
Canis Minor – The Little Dog
Lepus – The Hare
Scorpius – The Scorpion
Taurus – The Bull
The Hyades – The Daughters of Atlas
The Pleiades (M45) – The Seven Sisters
Auriga – The Charioteer
Eridanus – The River
Aries – The Ram
Gemini – The Twins
The Ship Argo
Puppis – The Stern
Pyxis – The Mariner’s Compass
Vela – The Sails
Carina – The Keel
3 The Legend of Jason and the Argonauts
The Constellations
The Legend
4 The Spring Constellations
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor – The Greater Bear and the Lesser Bear
Ursa Major – The Great Bear and the Big Dipper
Ursa Minor
Boötes – The Herdsman (or the Plowman)
Virgo – The Virgin
Corvus – The Crow
Crater – The Cup
Centaurus – The Centaur
Lupus – The Wolf
Leo – The Lion
Hydra – The Watersnake
Cancer – The Crab
5 The Summer Constellations
Ophiuchus – The Serpent-Bearer
Serpens (Cauda and Caput) – The Serpents
Corona Borealis – The Northern Crown
Corona Australis – The Southern Crown
Draco – The Dragon
Aquila – The Eagle
Scorpius – The Scorpion
Libra – The Scales
Sagittarius – The Archer
Lyra – The Lyre
Cygnus – The Swan
Ara – The Altar
Hercules – The Hero
Sagitta – The Arrow
Equuleus – The Foal
6 The Legend of Hercules
The Constellations
The Legend
7 The Autumn Constellations
Delphinus – The Dolphin
Aquarius – The Water-Bearer
Capricornus – The Sea-Goat
Pisces – The Fishes
Pisces Austrinus – The Southern Fish
Pegasus – The Flying Horse
Andromeda – The Princess
Cetus – The Sea-Monster (Whale)
Cassiopeia – The Queen
Cepheus – The King
Perseus – The Hero
Triangulum – The Triangle
8 The Legend of Perseus
The Constellations
The Legend
9 Introductions to Other Mythologies
Norse Mythology
Celtic Mythology
Inuit Mythology
Hawaiian Mythology
Rapa Nui Mythology
Tongva Mythology
10 Planets and Satellites
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Earth’s Satellite – The Moon
Mars
Mars’ Satellites
Jupiter
Jupiter’s Satellites
Saturn
Saturn’s Satellites
Uranus
Uranus’ Satellites
Neptune
Neptune’s Satellites
11 Dwarf Planets and Asteroids
The Dwarf Planets
Ceres
Pluto
Eris
Haumea
Makemake
Sedna
Quaoar
Orcus
The Asteroids
Vesta (4 Vesta)
Pallas (2 Pallas)
Ceres (1 Ceres)
Iris (7 Iris)
Eros (433 Eros)
Hebe (6 Hebe)
Juno (3 Juno)
Melpomene (18 Melpomene)
Eunomia (15 Eunomia)
Flora (8 Flora)
12 Astrophotography Using a Compact Digital Camera or Smartphone Camera
Introduction to Digital Cameras
Astrophotography Using a Compact Digital Camera
Astrophotography Using a Smartphone Camera
Author’s Final Word
Appendices
Appendix A Names of the Greek and Roman Gods
Appendix B Ptolemy’s Constellations
Appendix C The Messier Objects
Appendix D NGC/IC Objects by Constellation
Appendix E The Greek Alphabet
Bibliography
Index
